The Rise of American Christian Fascism: A Warning from the Past
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Chapter 1: The Warning Signs
In the 1980s, a theologian raised alarms about the potential for Christian fascism to take root in America. Having witnessed the horrors of Nazi Germany firsthand, he foresaw a similar threat emerging in the United States long before Donald Trump ascended to power.
America’s narrative has often been steeped in an illusion of moral superiority, obscuring the violent means by which dominance has been achieved. Baldwin cautioned that this denial creates a collective psychosis, stunting the ability of white Americans to engage in honest self-reflection. Instead, they construct a self-serving fantasy world, projecting their own evils onto others. Racism, as Baldwin noted, is often fueled by an inner sense of loneliness and guilt.
In 2016, the world witnessed a disturbing manifestation of this darker side of America, culminating in Trump’s election. While many were taken aback by this development, some had predicted it as an inevitable outcome. Chris Hedges, an author and journalist, foresaw this trajectory in his 2007 book American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America. However, during his time at Harvard Divinity School, he learned that a professor had been alerting students to these dangers even earlier.
This professor, James Luther Adams, had lived through the rise of fascism in Germany during the 1930s and recognized alarming parallels in America. Four decades ago, he sounded the alarm about the potential for the U.S. to mirror one of history's most devastating regimes.
Germany in the 1930s
Throughout history, various belief systems have been manipulated by those in power, and fascists were no exception. Figures like Franco in Spain relied heavily on the church to justify their authoritarian actions. In contrast, leftist movements have often rejected religious frameworks, allowing right-wing dictators to exploit religion as a facade of righteousness.
Few realize that the Nazis also engaged with Christianity. While not fundamentally religious, they understood the necessity of maintaining a connection with the church and the religious sentiments of Germans. They leveraged Christian language and imagery to further their agenda; for instance, shortly after Hitler’s rise, the Martin Luther Memorial Church was constructed, featuring a pulpit depicting Nazi soldiers listening to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
James Luther Adams witnessed how the German Evangelical Church was weaponized to uphold Nazism while diminishing the Jewish heritage of the Old Testament. Although born in America, Adams moved to Germany in the early 1930s, where he collaborated with prominent ministers like Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Albert Schweitzer, who opposed the Nazi unification of German churches. Many dissenting ministers were silenced or exiled, and Adams himself was eventually expelled from Germany.
He later became one of the most significant theologians in 20th-century America, teaching at Harvard Divinity School, where Hedges was his student. Adams famously warned that the greatest challenge facing future generations would be the rise of American Christian fascism. This was the first time Hedges encountered that term, which has since proven to be disturbingly prophetic.
Adams stated, "The faith of a church or of a nation is only adequate when it motivates individuals to actively engage in shaping social, economic, and political institutions for the common good."
American Christian Fascism Today
Today, the discourse surrounding American Christian fascism is more prevalent than ever, fueled by Trump's evangelical supporters, groups like the Proud Boys, and events in Charlottesville. The longstanding principle of separating church and state is increasingly undermined, with religious ideologies seeping into legislation and judicial processes, supported by a significant faction within the Republican Party.
This ideology intertwines the most troubling elements of American exceptionalism with a distinct form of white Christianity unique to the U.S. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation estimates that around 30% of military personnel are evangelical proselytizers. Many Americans subscribe to the belief that the U.S. is a divinely chosen nation, rendering any actions taken by the government beyond reproach.
The fusion of national identity, manifest destiny, and religious doctrine creates a complex landscape where it becomes challenging to delineate where faith ends and nationalism begins. This brand of Christianity is so removed from the teachings of Jesus that figures like Donald Trump can be reimagined as instruments of divine will.
Critics argue that anyone opposing America’s Christian mission is, in essence, standing against God. In a nation with over 393 million firearms, this mindset poses significant risks.
Those Ignorant of History
Chris Hedges, who studied under Adams and is the son of a Presbyterian minister, has witnessed the consequences of religious dogma firsthand. His father was marginalized for advocating LGBTQ rights, shaping Hedges’ understanding of the intersection between faith and societal issues.
A seasoned war correspondent and former Middle East Bureau Chief for the New York Times, Hedges has traversed some of the world's most dangerous areas, reporting on collapsing societies. His critique of America is harsh and unyielding:
"The Christian Right and radical Islamists, although engaged in a holy war, increasingly reflect one another. They share obsessions and exhibit intolerance towards differing beliefs. Both factions are waging war against artistic expression, seeking to suppress media, and promote the subjugation of women while advocating severe sexual repression and violence." — Chris Hedges
In addition to his work on American fascism, Hedges has expressed concerns about the country’s impending collapse in America: The Farewell Tour. His experiences in El Salvador, Yugoslavia, and Iraq echo Adams' observations of societal fragmentation and decline. He identifies the signs of despair, othering, and rage that can lead to violence and societal disintegration.
The driving forces behind America's current trajectory are the corporate takeover of governance and the rise of the Evangelical movement. Over the past fifty years, Americans have faced increasing economic hardship, fostering anger and desperation that create fertile ground for demagogues like Trump.
Hedges articulates the situation poignantly:
"Anything that threatens corporate profit is viewed as an infringement on freedom — the so-called American freedom to exploit others for profit. This fusion of prosperity with unrestrained capitalism, often touted as blessed by Jesus, relegates compassion to private acts of charity. The ideology’s callousness, which distorts the gospels’ focus on the marginalized, highlights how contemporary elites have twisted Christian scripture to serve capitalism while undermining Enlightenment values." — Chris Hedges
America stands at a crossroads. From the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 to the events of January 6, there is a significant faction of the populace advocating for change. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming influence of corporate funding in politics, elected representatives are often powerless to implement the changes demanded by their constituents.
As this bifurcation continues, nearly half the nation — swayed by televangelists and Republican leaders — will persist in believing in America's exceptionalism and the notion that divine favor rests upon the nation. Initiatives like healthcare reform, minimum wage increases, and tax reforms are overshadowed by a fervent belief in a 'Magic Jesus' who will purportedly save the nation.
The Day of Judgment is anticipated by those who view opposition to the American empire and the corporate state as tantamount to evil, believing they are engaged in a battle against the devil. Alarmingly, about 30% of Republicans already contend that violence may be necessary for the nation’s salvation, with many convinced that any defensive measures would be divinely sanctioned.
In a country where firearms outnumber people, this mindset represents a perilous reality.
Chapter 2: The Prophetic Voices
In this video, Zappa defines "Fascist Theocracy," exploring the intersections of religion and authoritarianism, alongside historical context and contemporary implications.
Chapter 3: The Growing Concern
This video discusses "Christian Fascism: This Law is Just the Start of Worldwide Fascist Movement?" featuring Dean Obeidallah, highlighting the potential global implications of the rising Christian nationalist movement.